Hardware ASRock Vision 3D 137B Review

Nice looking PC - i think the pricing isn't too bad, when you compare it to what you would pay for a similarly specced laptop.

 

Asrock, if you are reading this...

Give one to Craigbru so he can watercool that sucker!

 

Sorry to jump in...

There are several ways to stream TV over your network, however, I think Burnout21 is referring to having the server recording the TV and then accessing the recorded media separately (sorry if I'm assuming incorrectly!)

Easiest way to get TV streaming over Ethernet is via a HDHomeRun device, which obviously incurs an additional cost. It can integrate into WMC and record, etc as normal.

Alternatively, you can use software called DVBLink that acts as a server / client and can be installed into WMC. It's also a commercial product so will cost you some moolah.

Mediaportal has a TV Server component that allows you to serve TV streams to other Mediaportal clients and is freeware. However, I don't *think* it can be integrated into WMC (happy to be proven wrong!).

Personally, I use a HDHomerun and TV Scheduler Pro on my server. This allows me to setup recordings from any client on my network (or over the internet, if you wish). I like being able to quickly logon and record a program via my netbook whilst slobbing on the sofa I've also configured the other half's to stream TV to WMC on her system.

Works flawlessly

Cheers,

SouperAndy

 

Not really, for less money you can build a much quieter and more powerful mATX system if you don't mind having something the size of an early VCR. It also has the enormous advantage of being upgradable, in terms of storage and graphics if it were to be used for gaming also.

 

About not having a TV tuner. I picked up a USB TV tuner from Novatech* for about £15. It works out of the box with Media Center, and although it's a bit chunky, on a USB extension cable it would look like a bulge on the way to the antenna cable.


*(it's handy they have a store near bristol because it means I can save postage. It's bad because it leaves me more open to impulse buys like this)

 

A comparison with a PS3 is justified. Like anything both have pros & cons. If you are using using a PC to view movies through the optical drive then you are living in the past.
http://www.bit-tech.net/modding/guides/2009/12/30/how-to-build-a-dvd-server/comments
With the ability to use Windows Media Centre or any of the many alternatives you can customise your experience way beyond what a PS3 can.

 

I don't see where one can actually buy this yet.

Must you install your own OS? If so...that's an additional cost.

Very interested in this!